After Rae Bareli, PM Modi will visit Prayagraj (Allahabad) on the same day for monitoring the Kumbh preparations.

Lucknow: Soon after the poll results of five state assemblies, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to launch his aggressive election campaign for 2019 from Rae Bareli — the parliamentary constituency of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi.

Though the December 16 visit will be to flag off the newly-built coaches at Rail Coach Factory in the district, senior leaders monitoring the preparation work on ground said that the "official trip" to the eastern UP city will be a clear message to party workers for an intense electoral campaign.

Having faced an aggressive resurgent, Congress in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh, BJP leadership realises that 'Road to 2019' is not easy. Party will also be faced with a formidable challenge in UP, as BSP and SP look all set for an electoral alliance.

In this back drop, BJP's top leadership, especially party president Amit Shah and PM Modi, probably want to keep the cadre high in spirit, and the Rae Bareli visit fits right into that perspective. Thus, giving out a message that party is neither on the defensive nor lacking in aggression.

BJP spokesperson Dr Chandra Mohan, however, said, "No constituency or area is anyone's personal fiefdom. Rae Bareli and Amethi had lacked on development for decades."

He further said, "Prime Minister's visit to the town is in tune to our promise of bringing development back to this region,"

Meanwhile, sources said that PM Modi will also talk about the corruption charges surrounding the Gandhi family in his public address, the glimpses of which we had seen during his speeches for Vidhan Sabha elections recently.

After Rae Bareli, the prime minister will visit Prayagraj (Allahabad) on the same day for monitoring the Kumbh preparations. Later in the month, he will also be visiting his constituency of Varanasi and address a rally in eastern UP town of Gajipur.

Early next year in January, PM Modi will be attend the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas in Varanasi and will visit Kumbh as a devotee.

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